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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

More Lanes Coming to I-10 in East El Paso

A re-striping project slated for Interstate 10 on El Paso's east side could mean the addition of one lane in each direction in the coming years. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) will hold a meeting on October 3, 2012, to educate the public about the upcoming project plan.

According to the meeting notice, "The proposed I‐10 project would include adding one additional mainlane in each direction by reducing lane widths and reducing shoulders." By focusing on making lanes and shoulders smaller by using new striping, TXDOT avoids the time and cost associated with major construction. Eastsiders would see capacity increased from McRae Boulevard to Zaragoza Road, though the project's limit would start west of McRae at Viscount Boulevard. It would span a 4.6 mile stretch of I-10.

Currently, I-10 is reduced to three lanes in each direction at McRae, creating severe bottleneck traffic conditions during rush hour when travelling east. And morning commuters traveling westward from the east side can also encounter heavy congestion due to a nearly daily occurrence of wrecks between Lee Trevino and Hawkins Boulevard. This fourth lane may help alleviate capacity issues.

I-10 Loses a Lane at McRae Boulevard.

Auxiliary lanes may also be added from entrance to exit ramps between Yarbrough Drive and Lomaland Drive. This means an additional exit only lane will be added in this section, allowing traffic to merge in and out of the freeway more effectively. It is unclear if this will supplement the additional mainlane in each direction.